One Shoals town is facing a grim financial situation. During a council meeting this week, the town of Cherokee voted on ways the area could try and revitalize a city budget that's currently on life support.
"Funding is tight in any small town," said Cherokee Mayor Chuck Lansdell. "It's just like a small company; the economy is bad."
And the mayor says the tough economy is causing things to go from bad to worse. Lansdell says within a short amount of time council members decided on a solution, with long-term consequences. The first item to be slashed includes the benefits of town employees.
"Your employee are your best assets in a company or in a municipality," said Lansdell. "And we have a great set of employees."
Even after it appeared there was nothing left to reduce or eliminate, the council voted to cut the contract for fuel for the fire department and rescue squad. Without funding for fuel, the parked emergency responding trucks might remain idle.
"We are going to do everything we can to maintain the level of care and the level of protection that they've had," said Lansdell.
In spite of desperate times leading to desperate measures, the mayor says the community is already stepping up in big ways.
"I actually had one business owner to bring us $200 to make a donation for fuel, which we were very thankful for."
The cash-strapped city is continuing to look for ways to revamp, in order to survive.
The council also voted to cut out holiday pay for town employees. But not everything was slashed, instead the sewer charges are going up. Residential rates will rise from a base rate of $5.50 to a fee of nearly $14.80. And commercial rates will go up to $49.35. The change will go into effect within 30 days.
